NEW DELHI,
NOV. 25.
The Uttaranchal Chief Minister, N.D. Tiwari today indicated his preference for Dehra Dun as the State's permanent Capital instead of Gairsain and some other places as demanded by certain quarters, saying that emotions cannot overrule pragmatism on this issue.

"Everyone in the State has his own emotional views, some say the Capital should be shifted to Gairsain, some prefer Gwaldam and some want to see Rishikesh as the Capital," Mr. Tiwari said.

Most of the people who had participated in the agitation for carving out a separate State of Uttaranchal from the combined Uttar Pradesh prefer Gairsain as the Capital.

However, the Chief Minister said, "Such a big administration cannot be shifted to Gairsain. It does not have such a big space."

Many entrepreneurs and public sector undertakings have invested heavily in Dehra Dun, anticipating returns in future, he said, adding that although Dehra Dun is a temporary Capital so far, investors believe that it will be the permanent Capital.

He, however, said, "Let the Dixit Committee report come, then we will take a decision."

Regarding the concept of making Dehra Dun the commercial Ccapital on the lines of Mumbai, Mr. Tiwari said Dehra Dun was not limited to Doon valley and should be looked upon linked to Narendanagar, Mussourie, Haridwar, Rishikesh as `Mahadun'.

It may be recalled that from the day Uttaranchal was carved out from Uttar Pradesh in November 2000, there was a demand for making Gairsain as the Capital as it is the mid point between Kumaon and Garhwal.